The biggest injured-related development prior to Tuesday’s game between New Orleans and Portland was the news that Trail Blazers second-leading scorer and starting shooting guard C.J. McCollum would return from a foot injury that kept him sidelined for the previous two months.
New Orleans’ most experienced player, shooting guard JJ Redick, remains out for the Pelicans. Redick is the only player on the team’s Wednesday official injury update, due to right heel soreness.
Portland’s injury report ahead of Tuesday’s meeting included three players, all members of its frontcourt. Jusuf Nurkic (right wrist fracture) and Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture) were listed as out, while Harry Giles (left calf strain) was questionable.